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September 25, 2021

Anna Murray 

The United Nations Food Systems Summit began on September 23, laying the groundwork for global collaboration to end hunger and build a more sustainable, resilient food supply. Political agriculture leaders offered a path forward that includes coalitions and the understanding that there are multiple ways to improve food supply chain resiliency in order to meet the difficult circumstances of improving food security and addressing climate impacts.

This virtual summit, which drew thousands of participants including UN member states, private sector representatives, civil society participants, farmers and fishers, focused on actions to transform food systems to accelerate progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

During the event, the World Health Organization unveiled six new briefs on food system actions to improve health and nutrition for all: (1) Public Food Procurement; (2) Fiscal Policies; (3) Child Marketing Regulation; (4) Nutrition Labeling; (5) Food Fortification; and (6) Food Product Reformulation.

Speaking at the opening of the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted three key areas of action. First, there is a need for food systems that promote people's health and well-being. Second, the world requires food systems that are environmentally friendly. Finally, food systems must be supportive of prosperity.

Simultaneously, Mr. Guterres stated that the world is fighting a war against nature and reaping a bitter harvest of ruined crops, dwindling incomes, and failing food systems. Hundreds of millions of people go hungry every day. A healthy diet is out of reach for three billion people. There are two billion people who are overweight or obese, and 462 million who are underweight. Sadly, nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted. The UN Secretary-General urged governments to view and value food as a human right that everyone shares, rather than a commodity to be traded.